Re: Bhakti Siddhant Swamiji's Video

Dear prabhu,

       Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! My humble pranams!

       Although Gaura Kisore Das babaji maharaj was one of the greatest bhajananandis in Vrindavana and he resided there for over 30 years, all I could find was that he had served the deities there, but it is not mentioned particularly who.

        Sri Radha Ramana has always been worshipped by the descendants of Gopinatha Pujari Gosvami, the disciple of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. As a matter of fact, these pujaris had helped Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in authenciating the Gaudiya sampradaya against the smartas in the famous debate in 1912.

    About todays descendents:
Once Sri Gopala Bhatta went to Haridwar. As he was returning, suddenly a downpour started and thus he took shelter in the house of one brahmana. This brahmana was very devoted and he very carefully began to serve Sri Gopala Bhatta, who thus became very pleased. As this brahmana had no children Sripad Gopal Bhatta Goswami blessed him that he might have a son who would be a devoted follower of Lord Hari. The brahman replied out of gratitude that, "My first son I will send to you in order to serve you."

Approximately ten years later when Gopala Bhatta returned from bathing in the Yamuna one day, he saw a young boy sitting at the door of his kutir. When the boy saw the Gosvamiji approaching, he got up and then fell down to offer his dandavats (obeisances like a stick on the floor before him). Sripada Gopala Bhatta Goswami enquired who the boy was, to which he replied, "My home was in Devandyagram within Saharanpur near Haridwar. My father has sent me here to serve you. My name is Gopinatha."

Then Gopal Bhatta could remember the time when he went to Haridwar many years ago. So this boy remained with him and very carefully began to serve him. Eventually he became known as Sri Gopinatha Pujari Gosvami as he served Sri Radha-ramana Deva through his life as an unmarried brahmachari. His younger brother Sri Damodara dasa, along with his family, accepted iniation from Sri Gopinathaji and also became engaged in the service of the Deity. Sri Damodara dasa's three sons were named Harinatha, Mathuranatha and Harirama.  It is from these family members of Gopinath's brother that todays guardians the Radha-Raman Gosais so nicely maintain and serve Sri Sri Radha-Ramanji.

Your servant,
Srinath

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